With his videos proving virally and wildly popular, he has amassed near 11 million followers on the social media platform to date and shows no signs of stopping just yet.

Image: Business Insider

However, it seems that while Nas is a household name around the world, he isn’t quite so in local Singapore. Sure, he definitely has his own legion of fans over here, but to say that he’s the goat would be a stretch, to say the least.

And with the whole ‘Singapore is the almost perfect country‘ proclamation still on the back of most Singaporeans’ mind, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone not sniggering at him on the streets.

Image: Tenor

But, here’s the thing; even if you’re not a fan of Nas, the fact remains that as far as his latest video is concerned, you’re more inclined to agree than disagree.

Because honestly, this one’s a lot less subjective than the whole perfectionism of Singapore.

Image: Nas Daily Facebook Page

Christmas Spirit, Or Sponsor?

If you can’t tell already, Nas is back in Singapore, and he has uploaded another video that revolves around our humid lion city.

However, unlike the last time when he openly praised our country (albeit in a kinda roundabout way), his opinion isn’t quite so appreciative this time around.

Indeed, with a video that all but disses our representation of Christmas, Nas has seemingly, as the headline suggests, insinuated that the Christmas decorations in Orchard are but big product placements.

This year's Christmas is sponsored by Disney and the last 100 years by Coca Cola!At least in big cities, Christmas is turning into a product placement race and a buy buy buy Tsunami rather than a true holiday celebration. You don't have to take my word for it though, it's all in the video. INSTAGRAM: @NasDailyGROUP: Nas Daily Global

Breakdown

In the video, the influential vlogger highlighted three main points from his brief journey down Orchard Road:

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“I was walking down Singapore’s biggest shopping district only to notice that this year’s Christmas is one big product advertisement,” Nas said.

“I’m worried that Christmas is no longer about family, bonding and holidays. Now Christmas is just another way to make money.”

But it’s not just Nas

As even local celebrities and organisations have expressed their disapproval.

Indeed, just 3 days ago, local singer-songwriter and Cultural Medallion recipient Dick Lee joined in the ever-increasing Christmas decoration debate, with a sentiment that it might be all too commercial, and not Christian enough.

“Perhaps there is too much emphasis on Disney, and too little on Christmas.”

The National Council of Churches of Singapore has also spoken out, with a letter stating that it “has no meaningful connection to the season of Christmas”.

In response, the Orchard Road Business Association and the Singapore Tourism Board have had to issue a joint statement to clarify their positions.

Though to be fair

It seems that unlike the response to the iconic Miss Singapore Universe 2018 costume, there’re actually some that dig the Christmas decor this year.

“This year’s decorations have combined the idea of Christmas and Disney well. There is no point in having just Christmas trees and lights every year. We need fresh concepts,” Chinese tourist Andy Zheng, 44, said.

At the end of the line

I guess it’s just the age-old commercial value vs tradition debate again. But really, you can’t help but wonder:

Are they making a mountain out of a molehill, or are they just expressing their love for festivities?